SOMEONE HAS POISONED ME THE FACTS ABOUT SRILA PRABHUPADA'S POISONING BY ARSENIC "So as Krishna was attempted to be killed... And Lord Jesus Christ was killed. So they may kill me also." -Srila Prabhupada, May 3, 1976, Honolulu A letter from Nityananda das New Jaipur Press EXCERPTS ...the evidence is solid that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned, but by whom is not yet known. The level of proof, coincidences, and circumstantial evidence, makes for a very compelling verdict. (Foreword) This letter, or book, organizes the evidence and information to date (April 1999) regarding the poisoning of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, most probably carried out by some of His "closest" disciples. (Foreword) "...the GBC is convinced that no such evil deed or even intention existed at the time. The GBC is certain that Srila Prabhupada's passing away was due to entirely natural causes, as his doctors stated. ...some persons are bent on establishing the false and malicious theory that some of Prabhupada's own disciples conspired to poison him." ISKCON statement, Dec. 7, 1997. Srila Prabhupada: Vahi bat... je koi hamko poison kiya. (That same thing I said, that someone has poisoned me.) -Final statement about poisoning late on November 10, 1977. Kaviraja: dekhiye, bat hi hai, ki koi rakshas ne diya ho. (Look, this is the thing, that maybe some rakshasa gave him poison.) Bhakticharu: He's saying that someone gave him poison.) Tamal Krishna: Prabhupada was thinking that someone had poisoned him. Kaviraja: Yadi bolta hai, to kuch na kuch sac hi hai, koi sandeh nahin. (If he says that, there must be some truth to it. There's no doubt.) Bhakticharu: He said that when Srila Prabhupada is saying that, there must be something truth behind it. Tamal Krishna: Tssh. Tamal Krishna: Srila Prabhupada, Sastriji says that there must be some truth to it if you say that. So who is it that has poisoned? PAUSE of 13 seconds: Srila Prabhupada never answered Tamal. -Excerpts from conversations on November 10-11, 1977. "He noted a number of symptoms observed in Napoleon, and in that way managed a description that could have come straight out of a modern textbook on toxicology of the symptoms of arsenical intoxication." ...Assassination at St. Helena, Forshufvud & Weider A lethal dose may be indicated by as little as 5 ppm of arsenic in the hair. Compare this to the 3 ppm found in Srila Prabhupada's hair. (Chapter 35) Further, when the symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning are confirmed by an actual hair analysis, as has been done, then there can be no doubt of the accuracy of this diagnosis. (see Chapter 33) om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya chakshur unmilitam yena tasmi sri-gurave namah I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him. nama om vishnu-padaya krishna preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine nirvisesha-sunyavadi-paschatya-desa-tarine Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism. TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword.................................................................................................... 1 Introduction................................................................................................ 4 Chapter 1: Poison Becomes an Issue........................................................ 6 Chapter 2: Poison Whispers Discovered.................................................... 7 Chapter 3: Whispers Alarm Devotees....................................................... 8 Chapter 4: Poison Investigations Begin.................................................. 10 Chapter 5: ISKCON Statement.............................................................. 12 Chapter 6: Investigation Continues........................................................ 14 Chapter 7: Audio Forensics Commence................................................... 16 Chapter 8: More Audio Forensics........................................................... 20 Chapter 9: Obtaining the UHER............................................................ 22 Chapter 10: Virtual Originals from Archives............................................ 24 Chapter 11: More Whispers, No Editing................................................... 25 Chapter 12: Witnesses............................................................................. 28 Chapter 13: Are There Missing Tapes?..................................................... 30 Chapter 14: Researching the Tape Library............................................... 33 Chapter 15: Chandra Swami Connection.................................................. 34 Chapter 16: "Someone Has Poisoned Me".................................................. 41 Chapter 17: Introduction to 1977 Health Biography.................................. 53 Chapter 18: Kidney Disease Symptoms.................................................... 58 Chapter 19: Arsenic Poisoning Symptoms................................................ 60 Chapter 20: Health Chronicle: Dec. 1975 - Dec. 1976................................ 71 Chapter 21: Health Chronicle: January 1977............................................ 78 Chapter 22: Health Chronicle: February 1977.......................................... 83 Chapter 23: Health Chronicle: March 1977.............................................. 88 Chapter 24: Health Chronicle: April 1977................................................. 92 Chapter 25: Health Chronicle: May 1977................................................ 100 Chapter 26: Health Chronicle: June 1977............................................... 111 Chapter 27: Health Chronicle: July 1977................................................ 119 Chapter 28: Health Chronicle: August 1977............................................ 129 Chapter 29: Health Chronicle: September 1977....................................... 140 Chapter 30: Health Chronicle: October 1977........................................... 150 Chapter 31: Health Chronicle: November 1977....................................... 202 Chapter 32: Health Biography Analysis.................................................. 226 Chapter 33: Hair Analysis..................................................................... 233 Chapter 34: Napoleon: A Case History.................................................... 245 Chapter 35: Blanche Taylor Moore......................................................... 256 Chapter 36: Other Arsenic Case Studies................................................. 261 Chapter 37: Reverse Speech Theory........................................................ 264 Chapter 38: Reverse Speech Analysis..................................................... 267 Chapter 39: Balavanta's Investigation.................................................... 270 Chapter 40: Poisoning Methodology........................................................ 271 Chapter 41: Possible Motives of the Assassins......................................... 276 Chapter 42: Parade of Doctors, Treatments, and Mis-Diagnoses.............. 278 Chapter 43: Who Are The Suspects?....................................................... 281 Chapter 44: Dateline of Poisoning Highlights......................................... 282 Chapter 45: Conclusions & Summary.................................................... 283 Appendix 1: Perle Appointment Tape Analysis........................................ 293 Appendix 2: Audio Forensic Analysis: The Whispers............................... 295 Appendix 3: Audio Forensic Analysis: No Editing.................................... 314 Appendix 4: Statement by Abhiram Prabhu........................................... 343 Appendix 5: Appointment Tape Misquoted.............................................. 345 Appendix 6: Book Review: TKG's Diary.................................................. 347 Appendix 7: Diabetes Symptoms............................................................ 350 Appendix 8: Asutosh Oja Astrological Reports......................................... 352 Appendix 9: Unverified Information....................................................... 355 Appendix 10: Are There Missing Tapes?................................................... 358 Appendix 11: Hair Mineral Analysis........................................................ 361 Appendix 12: Sources of Arsenic............................................................... 366 Appendix 13: Possible Mis-Diagnoses....................................................... 367 Appendix 14: Poisoning Throughout History............................................ 368 Appendix 15: History of Tamal Krishna Goswami.................................... 371 Appendix 16: Was The Medicine Like Poison?.......................................... 379 Appendix 17: Astrology and Poisoning...................................................... 382 Appendix 18: Letter from Bhagavat Das................................................... 386 Appendix 19: Tamal Talks at Pyramid House.......................................... 389 Appendix 20: Black Magic and Tantrics................................................... 392 Appendix 21: ISKCON Answers CD That Never Was............................... 393 Appendix 22: Arsenical Photophobia......................................................... 406 FOREWORD Dear Godbrothers, Godsisters and others: Please accept my obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news. For over 18 months I have worked on the accumulation of evidence that Srila Prabhupada was chronically poisoned by arsenic in 1977. That evidence is this book, a letter to the followers of Srila Prabhupada. Please take the time to review the evidence carefully and consider assisting in the further investigation that is required to resolve this issue completely. In my opinion, the evidence is solid that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned, but by whom is not yet known. The level of proof, coincidences, and circumstantial evidence, makes for a very compelling verdict. I want to inform you of this evidence because I believe it is my duty to Srila Prabhupada and His Mission to push this matter to a healthy closure. In this, I am humbly asking your advice and assistance. On November 17, 1997 I was working in the yard on a fine, cool afternoon. I had had my fill of controversy long ago. The cordless phone rang; Mahabuddhi Prabhu was calling from Florida, and what he told me sent chills down my back, brought sweat to my brow and left my knees feeling wobbly. He described shocking whispers he had discovered on tapes which indicated Srila Prabhupada, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, our beloved spiritual master, and that to thousands of others, had been poisoned twenty years earlier in 1977. Thus I became involved, practically against my will, with the question of whether the greatest spiritual teacher of modern times had been poisoned. Many times I have turned my back on this issue, once for a period of over six months, hoping someone else would take up the reins of the investigation I had reluctantly become involved with. Then one evening, Lakshmi Nrsingha Prabhu asked me what I could contribute to the local temple program in the observance of Srila Prabhupada's disappearance day. Instantly, my conscience screamed at me: "You must publish the evidence on the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada as your duty to Krishna and the truth!" I could not bear to allow this information to remain dormant or hidden any longer. So, with many mixed and conflicting emotions, here it is. I pray that I have done the right thing. This letter, or book, organizes the evidence and information to date (April 1999) regarding the poisoning of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, most probably carried out by some of His "closest" disciples. This subject is certainly a difficult one to address, and it is also difficult to present properly in a publication. As Srila Prabhupada advised, we may say something, but we must be very cautious about printing it. Only because the evidence is so substantial do I venture to do so, and I hope that further evidence will show all of this to be no more than a false alarm, which unfortunately, does not seem even remotely likely. The compelling material contained herein intrinsically demands a full scale inquiry by truthful persons with the full cooperation of ISKCON, the GBC, and, hopefully, suspects such as Tamal Krishna Goswami, Jayapataka Swami, Bhakticharu Swami, and others. Originally, this production was intended as an audio documentary. Rochan Prabhu had arranged most of the ingredients for producing a CD, except for funding, which I then contributed. Dhaneshwar Prabhu worked hard under difficult circumstances at a location in Lockport, NY, for a month until the CD was pressed. Somehow there were some unpalatable dealings and we were extorted sizable sums of money. Dhaneshwar was forced to leave and I could not obtain the CD or the production materials, including the interviews. Finally, after two months, a copy of the CD was received, but not before the GBC and Harikesh had gotten it first through some unknown shady deal. It was feared that the host and narrator of the CD would then threaten to sue for royalties and up front money if I reproduced it. I was left with the choice to totally rework and re-record the CD or take the chance of legal entanglement with the troublesome narrator in Lockport. Although Dhaneshwar Prabhu had done his best with the CD's content as could be expected with the facility and time limits, there were many things that left me dissatisfied with the CD. Critical parts of the story and evidence were either confusing, wordy or missing. A CD was limited to 73 minutes, a cassette tape 120 minutes, and I was reluctant to cut out so much of the relevant information. Thus I reconsidered the strategy of how to best present the poison issue evidence. At the time it appeared that most devotees were focused entirely on the incriminating, twenty year old whispers, as though they were the heart of the evidence. But gradually I realized that the whispers were but one valuable confirmation of many other pieces of evidence. Also, the whisper's real value lay not simply in their interpretations by the human ear, but in how they were analyzed by advanced technology and spectrographic charts. Such charts could not be seen on a tape or CD, where many would fall into the trap of analyzing whispers by speculating and arguing about what they thought they were hearing. Would not a book avoid this pitfall, and re-focus everyone on the primary evidence, namely Srila Prabhupada's own statements that He was poisoned? The whispers are attention-grabbing, but what Srila Prabhupada said is the primary evidence, and the rest is supporting evidence. Since then, a positive hair analysis has very much strengthened the case.(Chapter 33) A CD must be accompanied by a booklet and, in composing that booklet, it would tend to become a book anyway. A fully documented, printed work can be easily referred to again and again, without depending on a CD player and fast-forwarding to some elusive portion for review. A CD was sensational, spiffy and technologically advanced, but a book, however, is the approved and standard method of distributing the truth. Those who must HEAR the whispers will be able to order the tapes from the BBT Archives or other sources. My appreciation for literary and investigative assistance goes to Rochan, Dhaneshwar, Agrahya, Mahabuddhi, Paritrikananda, Isha, and Gupta Prabhus, and many others. I have tried to make this presentation as accurate, honest and complete as possible, noting plainly what is a fact, what is a "lead", and what is my personal commentary or thoughts. It is hereby emphatically stated that I have presented the evidence as it is, without serving any motive or purpose other than the pursuit of the truth. I know that this book will be extremely controversial; it will be both loathed and appreciated, both condemned and received favorably. My physical life may be jeopardized and I am not altogether positive it is good for my spiritual life or consciousness either. (But I do remember Srila Prabhupada telling Harikesh about acting in difficult situations: 'Damn your consciousness.') But whatever, I cannot escape my conscience. With this letter I hope to promote a widespread and ecumenical search for the truth: WAS SRILA PRABHUPADA INTENTIONALLY POISONED BY HIS LEADING DISCIPLES? We already know that He was poisoned, but by whom? Assurance is hereby given that this book is not based on ignoble motives, and is not opposed to the principles of Krishna consciousness, ISKCON or the GBC. This is not an anti-ISKCON strategy or rtvik politics. Of course, many will disagree. I have tried to ensure that others, even those who may not be familiar with Krishna consciousness, will approach this issue with proper respect and appreciation for Srila Prabhupada's position and achievements. There is within this book an attempt to create the proper mood of inquiry and justice. Vengeance is not called for here. However, if Srila Prabhupada's mission has been usurped by some of the same people who attempted to kill him (only by Lord Krishna's arrangement did it happen), and those same people are among those who once proclaimed their divine right as the sole inheritors of the kingdom, it would truly be a disservice to His Divine Grace were we not to put our best effort into proving the truth of the matter. The proper mood of inquiry and seeking justice, I believe, is to seek the truth without malice or anger, but with unrelenting determination and in a cooperative spirit. INTRODUCTION His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, wrote and translated with extensive commentary more than 60 volumes presenting devotional classics such as Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita in the English language. He is an authentic spiritual master revered by perhaps millions around the world for the invaluable gift of Krishna consciousness which he continues to compassionately distribute to untold numbers of lost souls. Coming to America at the age of 70, in only 12 years from 1965 to 1977, he ignited the Hare Krishna explosion, a spiritual revolution in the hearts and minds of thousands of devotees. Before Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the West, the Vaishnava tradition of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was practically unknown outside of India. Circling the globe a dozen times, Srila Prabhupada tirelessly taught the sublime message of Godhead, visiting and inspiring devotees and receptive audiences in countless cities, homes, temples and events. In 1972 Srila Prabhupada created a Governing Body Commission or GBC from the ranks of his disciples to oversee the spiritual growth of the Hare Krishna movement. Entrusting his senior disciples with the details of management, Srila Prabhupada focused on translating the ancient Vedic scriptures and writing his Bhaktivedanta Purports to further enable our meager understanding of the message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Contact with Srila Prabhupada was to catch a glimpse of the spiritual world. By his writing, words, and glance He fought the forces of darkness in a realm where illusioned souls had forgotten their own true spiritual identity. Early in 1977 Srila Prabhupada became increasingly ill. Despite treatment from various Ayurvedic doctors, his condition did not improve. Yet, amazingly, in a bedridden state, Srila Prabhupada continued his work on translating the Srimad Bhagavatam until just days before His departure. Srila Prabhupada left this mortal world on November 14, 1977 to rejoin Lord Sri Krishna in the eternal abode of Vaikuntha, from which perfect, liberated devotees descend for the transcendental benefit of the conditioned souls. One should never think that Srila Prabhupada, a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord Krishna, died. Rather, He lives forever in His instructions, and His followers will always live with Him. One should know that an eternally liberated associate of Krishna is not an ordinary man and that His appearance and disappearance in this world are arrangements of Krishna's internal energy. As stated by Bhaktivinode Thakur: He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die While thou art living still in sound. The Vaishnavas die to live, and living try To spread the Holy Name around Although almost unthinkable, very serious evidence has recently been obtained regarding a conspiracy to assassinate Srila Prabhupada by poisoning. Even if one or more of His disciples attempted to kill Srila Prabhupada, we must know that He departed when and how He chose to do so. No one could harm Him in any way because He was fully protected by Lord Krishna. But if poisoning took place by the malicious intent of any person who still has a place or hand in Srila Prabhupada's mission, it is our duty as His followers to find out them out and guarantee an accounting. How can we neglect this? There are those that attribute this issue to the imaginations of ISKCON enemies, rtviks or troublemakers, but we see that those who first brought the matter to public attention have been longstanding loyal ISKCON devotees. Because most people have heard of the poison issue via the rumor mill, the author of this documentary (myself) has therefore sought to present the facts as they are without innuendo or unfair characterizations. Indeed, there is the hope that under intense scrutiny, this will all be revealed as a dreadful misunderstanding, our worst fears misplaced. Not likely, however. The producer of this report wishes to emphatically state his opinion that Srila Prabhupada's apparent death occurred only as a result of His own choice to leave this world. Srila Prabhupada had stated that this was in fact the case, that He could stay or leave as He decided. Further, it is widely accepted that Srila Prabhupada was an empowered devotee of the Lord who was transcendental to all material considerations, and if Srila Prabhupada were in fact given poison, while this may have affected His health, it had little to do with His departure. The purpose of this report is not to cast any doubt on the transcendental nature of Srila Prabhupada. The question thus becomes how is it that Prabhupada decided to wind up his pastimes here. Did he not feel that His disciples wanted Him to stay? This exact question came up during His final days, and there was an overwhelming response "Yes, don't leave us—please stay with us longer!" Some argued that perhaps Srila Prabhupada had finished His mission and we should let Him go. Perhaps Srila Prabhupada felt He was not wanted because, as He Himself had stated, someone was giving Him poison. Internally, Srila Prabhupada chose His own time of departure. Externally, He was poisoned by arsenic, unable to eat and His body withered away due to malnutrition and toxic cellular obliteration. It is our duty as Srila Prabhupada's diksha and siksha followers to defend Him, better late than never. First we must establish the truth, then take appropriate action. As the reader progresses through each chapter and appendix he or she will become more and more convinced of foul play, and will want a full and honest investigation in the search for the historical truth so that the health of Srila Prabhupada's Mission may be preserved. Read the following presentation of evidence, and, with an open and unbiased mind, think carefully about what should be done. CHAPTER 1: POISON BECOMES AN ISSUE Rumors about a poisoning of Srila Prabhupada have been circulating around the world of devotees ever since Srila Prabhupada's departure over 20 years ago. Rupanuga Prabhu remembers the subject arose in 1980 and Rupa Vilas Prabhu and this author heard about it in 1990. A few years ago, Satyaraj Prabhu asked his friend Tamal Krishna Goswami about the matter, and was told that these persistent rumors come back to life every so often, much to Tamal's dismay. Abhinanda Prabhu was recently disturbed by these rumors, as well as many others. Paritrikananda Prabhu in California began to research the rumors and assemble evidence and leads out of his own need for finding the truth. A list of notes in this regard is included as Appendix 9. In early 1996 Paritrikananda Prabhu tried to interest this reporter in the matter, but at the time there did not seem to be any way to convert the rumors into facts. Puranjana Prabhu, a well-known, controversial and vitriolic critic of ISKCON policies, amplified the issue in mid 1997, publishing on the internet information and questions on the subject. At the 1997 Los Angeles Rathayatra, Puranjana was picketing with a large sign which stated that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned, referring to Srila Prabhupada's own statements to that effect in the Conversations Books. When Isha Prabhu in Miami heard of the poison issue, he became disturbed, disbelieving all of it as nonsense. He had been Satsvarupa Maharaj's secretary in Dallas in late 1977. When Satsvarupa Maharaj returned from Vrindaban just after Srila Prabhupada's departure, Isha was given 20 tapes with instructions to make 10 sets of copies to send to various ISKCON leaders before forwarding the original tapes to the BBT Archives in Los Angeles. Isha Prabhu did this, but kept an extra set for himself. He dug out these tapes after 20 years of storage and made copies for Mahabuddhi Prabhu's birthday. Isha asked Mahabuddhi to listen to the tapes carefully, as he himself also did, in hopes of finding an answer to the question: was Srila Prabhupada poisoned? These 20 tapes of Srila Prabhupada's last conversations, although the English portions were transcribed in the Conversations books, had never been released or advertised by the BBT Archives tape ministry. Thus, only a very few devotees had ever listened to them. However, copies are available upon special request from the Archives. CHAPTER 2: POISON WHISPERS DISCOVERED Almost simultaneously, Isha, Mahabuddhi and Balavanta Prabhus found and focused on several whispers on a tape labeled T-46, the third from the last known recording of Srila Prabhupada, and dated November 10 & 11, 1977. Isha Prabhu, a devotee since 1974 and long-time supporter of the Miami ISKCON temple, stated: "When I first heard of the poisoning issue I became concerned and investigated by listening carefully to the twenty tapes in my library from Oct-Nov 1977. After thoroughly listening to them I concluded that if Srila Prabhupada was poisoned it was the result of accidental overdose or misuse of his medications. That same day Mahabuddhi called and told me of suspicious whispers he had found on the same tapes of November 1977. I examined the whispers carefully using sophisticated electronic equipment, and had enhancements done on the tapes by FBI approved laboratories. My conclusion after hundreds of hours of analysis is that it is possible that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned. I called Balavanta and asked him if we could form an investigation committee. He agreed that Mahabuddhi, Jagajivan and myself would be on it and that we could create a forum on ISKCON's COM so we could communicate privately about these issues." This reporter also interviewed Mahabuddhi Prabhu, former temple president, former promoter of Prabhupada's Palace bus tours in New Vrindaban, and founder of the Florida Vedic College: "We listened to Srila Prabhupada's tape of November 10-11. My son Mahasimha, when I was out of the room, had heard a whisper, so he called me back and we played this whisper again. We enhanced it and listened to it, and it really sounded strange. We became a little bit shocked, because we thought we had heard something like: LETS POISON IN THE MILK, and the more we heard it, the more we listened to it, about 100 times that night, the more it sounded that way." CHAPTER 3: WHISPERS ALARM DEVOTEES Mahabuddhi Prabhu e-mailed his discovery to Balavanta and phoned Isha. Apparently Balavanta and associates in Alachua were already aware of the whisper, because the next day, November 11, 1997, the Vaishnava News Network, or VNN, posted not only Mahabuddhi Prabhu's letter on the internet, but also a statement from Balavanta as the newly appointed "GBC special investigator." Apparently the GBC Executive Committee and the GBC Chairman, Madhusevita Prabhu, acted quickly, without full approval of the GBC, by immediately arranging for Balavanta Prabhu to investigate "independently" the alleged poisoning of Srila Prabhupada, beginning with research into the validity and nature of the alarming whispers. Balavanta's report stated, regarding the November 10-11 tape (T-46 or #18 out of the last 20): "…it contains a whisper which refers to poison. This tape was digitally processed for clarity by an independent laboratory in Gainesville, Florida. According to the laboratory technician the following is the probable contents of the whispered statement. Either: 1. "Lets not poison him and go" or 2. "Lets now poison him and go." We are currently sending the tape to another laboratory with more advanced equipment for further investigation. We will report the results of that study as available." It is noted here that, to the best of our knowledge, this was the first and last public statement made by Balavanta as GBC Special Investigator. Since then, however, Balavanta Prabhu has spoken with others about the investigation unofficially. He, Mahabuddhi and Isha discussed arranging for more testing on the whispers, and Balavanta disclosed that he had sent the T-46 "poison tape" to the National Audio Video Forensic Laboratory in California, headed by a Mr. Norman Perle. Just two months prior, Mrigendra Prabhu, a devotee attorney and former temple president of Los Angeles ISKCON, had sent the famous so-called "appointment tape" of May 28, 1977, to Perle's lab to test for evidence of alleged tampering or editing. The appointment tape forensic test results will be discussed later on in Chapter 11 and Appendix 1. Meanwhile, Isha and Mahabuddhi were finding more incriminating-sounding whispers on the same "poison tape." In total, as reported on VNN, they were: 1. "Lets poison him and go," or perhaps, "Put poison in the milk" 2. " poison ishvarya rasa…get ready to go", 3. "the poison's going down, the poison's going down" 4. "put poison in different containers." The level of concern and fear amongst devotees became greatly heightened. On November 30, Isha, very expert in manipulation of computer and sound recording equipment, reported on VNN his own personal findings in regards to the poison whispers on the "poison tape." They were: 1. Conversations Vol. 36, pg 373: After Srila Prabhupada asks to lie down flat is heard this whisper: "The poison's going down..(giggle) the poison's going down." 2. Con:36.373: After Jayapataka says, "follow the same treatment," a whisper: "Is the poison in the milk? Um hum." 3. Con:36.374: After Srila Prabhupada says, "Daytime we expose...", we hear the whisper, "Do it now." Then Srila Prabhupada drinks something. 4. Con:36.378: We hear the whispers, "Jayadwaita... will you serve Srila Prabhupada poison Jayadwaita?", then several negative responses followed by "Nette, nette." 5. Con:36.391: After Jayapataka says, "Should there be kirtana?" we hear a Bengali phrase, and then the whisper "Poison ishvarya rasa." Srila Prabhupada says weakly and very surprised, "Me?", then we hear, "Take it easy, get ready to go," then a few seconds later, "The poison's in you Srila Prabhupada." Then, "He's going under... He's going under." Then Hansadutta's kirtan began. The audio clips including the above whispers were posted on VNN on December 5, 1997. It is difficult for many to make out the whispers due to so much of the quality lost in that means of transmission. Dozens upon dozens of devotees have been taken by Naveen Krishna Prabhu in Alachua to a local sound studio to listen to the enhanced and "cleaned up" whispers. Most agree, after listening carefully a few times, and there is no doubt in their minds, what the whispers are about: Srila Prabhupada was poisoned in a conspiracy by His own closest disciples. The number of devotees with this experience in Naveen Krishna's sound studio continues to grow as time goes on. CHAPTER 4: POISON INVESTIGATIONS BEGIN While Perle was analyzing the poison tape as per Balavanta's instructions, Isha called Perle and discussed the whispers' locations on the tape. Perle stated that he had been asked to study only one whisper, and to do it on a shoestring budget. It has been unofficially learned that the report Balavanta received from Perle soon thereafter did NOT verify the whispers, and the report has never been made public. Surprised to hear this, Isha called Norman Perle to discuss his findings. Isha relates his talk with Perle: "I had discussed with Perle about several locations of the tape which contained whispers but when Balavanta received his report there was a great deal of confusion about what Perle had actually analyzed. I called Perle the day after my conversations with Balavanta to discuss my concerns about which sections of the tape he was listening to. I could not get a clear answer from him but he did make a statement which raised my suspicions even higher. He said that conversations and events on the tape did not represent the actual events taking place. He said that he was 95% convinced of that." Balavanta Prabhu also could not clearly identify for Isha which sections of the tape or which whispers Perle had examined. Thus it was speculated that Perle had analyzed the wrong whispers on the tape, as there are many throughout the tape, and did not examine the ones referring to poison. Interestingly, though, Perle had alluded to fraudulent tampering of the tape, a subject we address later. Suffice it to say at this point that Perle mistakenly thought that the stop-start routine of recording was evidence of tampering. Mahabuddhi and Isha were disturbed that Perle's report was not made available to them to verify or contradict their suspicion that the wrong whispers were examined. The credibility, accurateness and value of Perle's report to Balavanta was thus deemed highly questionable. Also, at this time, Balavanta Prabhu now would no longer take a personal position on the whisper issue as he had at the start. He had become private, grave, and attorney-like in his behavior. Further, what had begun as a cooperative effort had now effectively split into two groups: the secretive, "independent" GBC investigation and the work done by an entity called the Independent Vaishnava Council, with Mahabuddhi and Isha Prabhus' participation. Isha explains his disappointment with Balavanta: "Balavanta informed me that there was no longer an investigation committee and that he was going to act alone based on the GBC's instruction. I had already shared with him all the information I had gathered from the tapes and became further disturbed because of his breaking our agreement. Over the next several days I sent out several more e-mails detailing the results from the sound labs I had worked with in Miami. The VNN website (vnn.org) agreed to publish my findings. The CHAKRA website (chakra.org), which was created later, has refused to post my reports, however." Mahabuddhi also states: "…we had cleaned some tapes and made some enhancements on some segments …we actually delivered these tapes to Balavanta who came to West Palm Beach to meet with us. We were always very cooperative, and at that point we thought we were working as a group or a team, but then he told me that actually he's now the only investigator." Mahabuddhi and Isha then decided to continue with their audio forensics investigation on their own. At this point this reporter became intimately involved in their investigation. The whispers were digitally enhanced and cleaned for clarity by prominent and first-class sound studios, one of which was Soundtrack, Inc of Miami, headed by George Blackwell. Mr. Blackwell, who does a lot of work for law enforcement agencies, reported in early December, 1997: "First of all, what I remember hearing on his tape after cleanup was "It's not poison in the milk" or, allowing for an unusual speech pattern by the speaker, "It's not poisoned milk." As in handwriting analysis, one calls upon other skills besides engineering for this type of work. At this point I relied heavily upon my 25 years of experience in musical training and in recording voices for commercials and narrations." George Blackwell then describes how he adjusted the pitch, filters and equalizer to obtain a variety of listening conditions. His conclusions, it must be noted, however, were based ultimately upon listening with the human ear and did not include more sophisticated analytical methods. Harikesh Maharaj, then the GBC for much of Europe and the principal guru-power/broker in ISKCON, reported on the internet that by listening to the whispers with the equipment used for his tape ministry, he and his aides could not hear anywhere the word "poison" being whispered. He did admit, though, that it remained a big mystery to him as to why Srila Prabhupada would say that he was being poisoned. Bir Krishna Maharaj (GBC vice-chairman at the time), Bhakticharu Swami (ISKCON guru), and Rabindra Swarup Prabhu (GBC and ISKCON spokesman), made a joint statement on the internet on January 17, 1998 that they also had listened to the poison tape, and in their opinion, the whisper about "poison in different containers" was actually "posing different opinions." They also had several Bengalis translate the whisper "poison ishvarya rasa" as a Bengali term meaning "in a few days time." It should be clarified, however, that the whispered poison phrase comes right after the Bengali phrase so translated. This attempted sweeping aside of one of the four whispers is the same kind of error likely made by Norman Perle analyzing a non-poison whisper and then saying there is no poison word. One wonders whether these GBC's were doing shabby or dishonest reporting; it is quite obvious to anyone who listens to the tape that the poison whispers comes after the Bengali speaker. News of the poison issue circulated quickly and was featured on the internet by the VNN and, later, by the "ISKCON-friendly" CHAKRA websites. Visits to VNN's site tripled as thousands checked in every day for "poison issue" news, showing that devotees worldwide were very interested and concerned about the poison issue. It was clearly not a non-issue. CHAPTER 5: ISKCON STATEMENT Given the seriousness of the matter, it is surprising that for many weeks no official statement was issued by ISKCON. Finally, on December 7, 1997 it came, composed by Bir Krishna Maharaj and, as he put it, "stiffened-up" by Rabindra Swarup Prabhu and Mukunda Maharaj. It read: "Certain conspiracy theorists have been propagating of late the allegation that the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON met his demise on November 14, 1977 due to intentional poisoning at the hands of his own disciples. The GBC of ISKCON considers this charge both absurd and offensive. Based on considerable testimony from those present at the time, and on its own preliminary internal study, the GBC is convinced that no such evil deed or even intention existed at the time. The GBC is certain that Srila Prabhupada's passing away was due to entirely natural causes, as his doctors stated. Some persons have claimed that they heard the word "poison" whispered on a tape said to have been made in Srila Prabhupada's room. Many others, however, find the whispers indecipherable. In other words, one can read into the whisper almost anything one chooses. Nonetheless, some persons are bent on establishing the false and malicious theory that some of Prabhupada's own disciples conspired to poison him. To refute this charge beyond the slightest doubt, the GBC has given the original tape over to independent forensic experts for detailed analysis. The singular purpose is to lay to rest malevolently motivated theories about Srila Prabhupada's passing. According to Balavanta das, head of independent investigation, "Initial reports from two of the forensic laboratories, both of which used equipment more sophisticated than any previously applied, do not find the word poison on the tape and do not support allegations of any wrongdoing." It is now clear to the GBC that the report of taped whispering conspirators is a false alarm. The GBC is confident that the final forensic report will confirm these preliminary findings." This official statement, one of only two issued by ISKCON at the time this publication went to press (the other is Appendix 21), has dismayed many devotees who had hoped ISKCON would lead the search for the truth. Now, anyone who would feel or express justifiable and legitimate concern over the circumstances of Srila Prabhupada's departure from this mortal world, has been condemned as a virtual enemy of ISKCON. It is perhaps this blatant shunning of efforts of cooperative goodwill offered by those outside the institutional walls that feeds the perception of a dishonest GBC, who many feel has become expert in keeping closed a Pandora's box of gruesome ghosts collected over 22 years of embarrassing history. The GBC says they are "convinced and certain that Srila Prabhupada was not poisoned." Yet at least some of the GBC's arranged for Balavanta's investigation to research the matter, indicating that even they have some doubts. Suspicions arose in the minds of many about the GBC's honesty and the supposed independent investigation they initiated. Does the apparent half-hearted and non-aggressive nature of Balavanta's investigation have to do with the GBC's influence, who, in a state of denial, hopes this issue will fade away? Does this look like an open and honest attempt to satisfy natural and obvious questions raised by the evidence itself? Has Balavanta Prabhu decided to maintain silence until he can accumulate enough evidence to make a complete report? Are Balavanta and Naveen Krishna Prabhus, past and former GBC members, compromised by their past political allegiances, or are they truly concerned in uncovering the truth of the poison issue? What are the findings of the "considerable testimony and preliminary internal study"? What in this material has so thoroughly convinced the writers of the ISKCON statement that there is no cause for concern- why not share this with the Vaishnava community? Where are the doctors' statements verifying natural causes to Srila Prabhupada's passing away? (There is no indication that such a thing ever existed!) If ISKCON is really to refute the supposed charges of poisoning beyond the slightest doubt, as they say, then they should immediately enlighten everyone with full disclosure of all their findings, such as their audio lab reports, interviews, if any, and a full explanation and answering of questions by Srila Prabhupada's secretary and primary caretaker for most of 1977: Tamal Krishna Goswami. When contacted by Dhaneshwar on behalf of this author, Tamal refused to discuss the issue or answer questions, saying that there was already an ongoing investigation. Tamal previously told Satyaraj Prabhu that if he answers one question, there will be hundreds more (Yes! and all should be answered! Why not?) Also, what was the second audio forensic lab report obtained by Balavanta Prabhu? One report was the Norman Perle report, which may be of dubious value, as we will see later herein when reporting on Perle's appointment tape analysis. Was the other lab the sound studio in Gainesville? What other audio forensics had Balavanta Prabhu done, if any? CHAPTER 6: INVESTIGATION CONTINUES This reporter interviewed Balavanta Prabhu in mid January 1998, learning that he was receiving very limited funding for investigative work from the GBC, and that he was donating his time, as it may be available, to work on the investigation. Balavanta flatly stated that unless there is some new evidence or major breakthrough, such as a witness coming forward, that his poison investigation might soon close down with an inconclusive report. As this book goes to print, it is understood that Balavanta has not yet conducted any interviews, and may never, with possible suspects such as Tamal Krishna Maharaj, Jayapataka Maharaj, Bhavananda, Hansadutta, Satadhanya, Bhakticharu Swami and others. He did say that he was making arrangements for the chemical analysis of a sample of Srila Prabhupada's hair and fingernail clippings from October-November 1977. He was in the process of locating a suitable testing laboratory. It was also understood that Balavanta had retrieved various containers left in Srila Prabhupada's Vrindaban quarters since 1977. In accordance with the whisper about putting poison in different containers, apparently he was going to test those containers for traces of poison. A long shot, indeed. In October 1997, an entity called the Independent Vaishnava Council, or IVC, had been formed with Balavanta as the chairman, but who then, very soon afterwards, resigned when he became the "GBC investigator." The leadership of the IVC was taken up by Rochan Prabhu, former temple president of Seattle, who explained the development and purpose of the IVC: "In September 1997, the VNN announced that an Independent Vaishnava Council was forming, headed by former GBC chairman Balavanta das, who practices as an attorney in Florida under the name William Ogle. The Council was formed for the purpose of investigating recorded statements uttered during Srila Prabhupada's final days, which indicated that he was being poisoned. A few weeks later, after the poison whispers surfaced, Balavanta announced his appointment by the GBC as their special independent investigator into these allegations. He made it clear that his activities on the GBC's behalf disqualified him from working with the independent Council, which was then at risk of dissolving. I was asked to take responsibility for moving the Council forward, primarily because I had already developed a comprehensive Internet website -harekrishna.com We launched this pioneer attempt at facilitating a virtual investigative council by creating interactive meeting areas for the Council. "From day one, the volume of e-mail and incoming calls was overwhelming. We were approached by a number of individuals who offered financing, audio engineering skills, technical and legal support for the investigation. There was a common sense of urgency to compile and distribute a comprehensive summary of all available facts. So, the founding members of the Council began the process of discussing investigative protocol, the philosophical implications, administrative issues, etc. Meanwhile, individual members launched an audio CD project, a series of forensic tape analyses, and various legal and investigative inquiries. We were all moving forward, and making every attempt to cooperate together to pursue the truth." Mahabuddhi Prabhu, an early IVC member, stated: " it was a pretty difficult kind of jump to think that one of our godbrothers would even consider doing something like this to Prabhupada. We did not want to be so bold as to accuse anyone, so we thought that, having heard these strange whispers, we had better continue the investigation. Some people clearly heard the word poison, and some didn't. However, we weren't really interested in arguing over who heard what, as we felt that there would always be different opinions. We concluded that the way to resolve this matter was to have the tape analyzed by a forensic laboratory who had the technical expertise to give a definitive statement. We hoped the lab results would disprove that the whispers had anything to do with the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada, which is a totally detestable idea. It is very disturbing to think that any of our godbrothers could do such a thing." CHAPTER 7: AUDIO FORENSICS COMMENCE Up to this point, most analysis was done by the subjective human ear, such as was done by George Blackwell, Harikesh Maharaj and Bir Krishna Maharaj. Mahabuddhi learned, however, that speech recognition has become an extremely diverse and advanced science, as researchers are improving equipment, computers, and software that accurately recognize the human voice. Sounds of Speech Communication by JM Pickett and Acoustic Analysis of Speech by Kent and Reed are two definitive texts on the science. One of the oldest tools used in speech recognition is still unexcelled in definitive identification of words, namely the Wide Band Voice Spectrograph. It provides detailed information about the many frequencies and intensities of the various sounds which make up the spoken word. The spectrograph clearly presents the complex harmonic structure of voiced phonemes, of which there are only 40 in the English language, being the elements of sound used to produce every word. The voice spectrograph displays one phoneme after another, providing a "picture" of each word, and will have a similar pattern regardless of the accent, cadence, and the peculiarities of a particular voice. Unlike the human ear, the spectrograph is fully objective in identifying spoken words. Voice spectrograph analysis accurately determines even barely audible whispers with a confidence level of greater than 90% and is used by law enforcement agencies and as evidence in court, for decades now. Mahabuddhi Prabhu consulted with the American College of Forensic Examiners to locate a very professional audio forensic laboratory. He settled on Jack Mitchell with Computer Audio Engineering (CAE) from New Mexico. Although Balavanta had obtained a report from Norman Perle, the results were not released and was considered of dubious accuracy (see Appendix 1). Mahabuddhi understood the grave need for a good forensic acoustic analysis. This author offered to bear the expenses of the work. Mahabuddhi arranged for the analysis, carefully detailing the whispers' locations for CAE and how we wanted to analyze EXACTLY what was being spoken. Jack Mitchell was not told in advance by being what we thought the whispers were, as we wanted an unprejudiced analysis without any subtle predisposition of the analyst. CAE was given no information as to the nature of the controversy, but was apprised of the foreign language on the tape. This author elicited Jack Mitchell's credentials, given as follows: COMPUTER AUDIO ENGINEERING, Jack Mitchell, A.C.F.E. Member American College of Forensic Examiners John J. Mitchell ("Jack"), Years experience: 30+/audio - 3/forensic audio. Education: *1964-1976; The Pennsylvania State University *Undergraduate & graduate study - music education and music composition. *Began study of electronic music in 1967. Such study includes recording and editing techniques, signal design, analysis, processing and full semester physics courses which were specific to the physics of sound. Have been involved with audio and signal analysis and processing in one form or another ever since. *1992: Univ. of New Mexico: 1 credit short course - Music and Technology *Other: Have taught both public school and college. From 1987 to 1995 was the editor/arranger/orchestrator for the John Donald Robb Musical Trust, University of New Mexico Foundation. Thus far, I am able to boast a realistic 99% success rate with regard to my forensic work. (That assessment has come from clients, not myself). JM Jack Mitchell owner/engineer: Commercial Audio | Forensic Audio Computer Audio Engineering aka: CAE Studio Web Site: http://biz.swcp.com/CAE... E-mail: cae@swcp.com After a week, Jack Mitchell called Mahabuddhi and advised him that we should be arranging for legal counsel, as it appeared that what he was analyzing was a poison conspiracy, judging from what he had already found on the tape. Mahabuddhi was pleased that Jack was confirming what he had heard, but also depressed. Three weeks later the report arrived, and stated: "Each segment was subjected to analysis using both Signalyze and Soundscope software. Methods employed were: F-T-A sonogram display, amplitude envelopes, 100ms segment FFT, LPC formant tracking – of particular interest was F2 trajectory tracking of the tongue movement, sound file amplification and normalization. The analysis activity involves data measurement, aural and visual alignment and segmentation of sonic events. During signal analysis and dialog decoding, nine hours of consultation was done with Dr. Helen McCaffrey, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Texas Christian University." (see Appendix 2) This first complete audio forensic report by CAE is included in Appendix 2, and details the exact methods and technology used. Five color spectrographs of the whispers, conclusively verifying their actual content, are displayed on the front and rear book covers, and near the front of the book. Technical language aside, the heart of the report left Mahabuddhi, Rochan, and this author in shock and depression. Two of the four whispers had been verified as containing the word POISON. There was now far less doubt that there had indeed been a poison conspiracy. Mitchell also verbally communicated that he had isolated another very faint whisper on the same tape which he felt quite sure contained the word poison, but it was too faint to verify by phonemes. He also found whispered words adjacent to what we had asked him to study, such as "We know he's trying to trap us", and "I'm not afraid to die", which, unfortunately, fits in better with the discussions of a secretive and nefarious plot than normal devotee discussions in the course of caring for a prostrate and bedridden Srila Prabhupada. The first whisper verified takes place on page 373, Conversations Book #36, dated November 10, 1977, but the correct date is the 1th. Srila Prabhupada says, "Hmmm. You make me flat," and then, in the background, an as yet unidentified person says what had previously been thought to be "THE POISONS GOING DOWN." However, Jack Mitchell's analysis ascertains the long, two part hushed whisper to be: "PUSH REAL HARD, ITS GOING DOWN HIM. THE POISON'S GOING DOWN" The second whisper verified takes place on page 391, Conversations Book #36. (November 11, 1977) Someone speaks three or four words in Bengali, and then Jayapataka Maharaj (it almost definitely is his voice) says what previously sounded to many like POISON ISHVARYA RASA. In reference to this whisper, Bir Krishna Maharaj and Rabindra Swarup Prabhu issued a statement on January 17, 1998, claiming that three Bengalis in Philadelphia (one was Bhakticharu Swami) translated the Bengali spoken as "kayek din pare asha", meaning "in a few days time", and that there was no poison word. However, Jack Mitchell's analysis starts after that loudly-spoken Bengali phrase, and ascertains the subsequent whispers to be: VOICE 1: Bengali (kayek…) VOICE 1: POISONING FOR A LONG TIME SRILA PRABHUPADA: TO ME? VOICE 2: THAT'S REALLY ORIGINAL. VOICE 1: GET READY TO GO. Then: VOICE 1: MY NUMBER'S IN THE PASS (PORT OR BOOK). VOICE: OK. VOICE: GOING NOW, (PRABHU). SOFT ELDER VOICE: (YES, TODAY or YESTERDAY). VOICE: ANYTHING MIGHT OF HAPPENED TODAY. VOICE: (LOOK), I'M NOT AFRAID TO DIE. SOFT ELDER VOICE: VERY GOOD. VOICE: YOU'RE TAKING IT RIGHT NOW. SOFT ELDER VOICE: HOW'S THIS? VOICE: LET IT GO. We can find no positive manner in which to interpret these words; they speak the unthinkable. It is obvious that no definitive conclusion can be drawn simply by listening with the human ear, and that therefore audio forensic analysis should carry much more weight as to what actually is being said, or whispered. The CAE report makes the whispers a hundred times more significant, and, coupled with other evidence, should help convince all those silent fence-sitters with political interests or weak hearts to get off their duff and get behind a broad, impartial inquiry as will be proposed later. A third whisper was also analyzed by Jack Mitchell, namely the one which takes place on page 380 (November 11, 1977) of the Conversations Book #36. This whisper has been previously reported to be Tamal Krishna Maharaj saying, "Put poison in different containers…" This whisper has been explained by Bir Krishna Maharaj and others to be, "we're voicing different opinions…" and this is exactly what Jack Mitchell verified. The explanation by Bir Krishna Maharaj makes sense, especially when looked at in context, where the word opinion is used just a little earlier and how there is a discussion about whether to go on parikrama or not. Now, with verification by forensic analysis, it does not seem that this whisper should be given much further attention. It should be noted, however, that CAE's analysis coinciding with the GBC explanation is significant in demonstrating how his work is honest and not tailored to suit any biased motive his client might have. It is very important that the search for truth not be compromised by serving someone's personal agenda or opinion, and so it is hoped that the CAE report will be appreciated as being truly impartial. We see how the whispers have been variously and subjectively interpreted by the human ear, as by hearing poison in several other whispers prompts us to hear "VOICING" as "POISON IN." Distortions and low amplitude play tricks on the imperfect senses. But, thanks to audio forensics we can extend the range of the human senses and determine more than what we thought we heard by the ear alone. Nevertheless, the same person who says, "…we're voicing different opinions…," was analyzed just prior to this point to have said in a whisper, "WE KNOW HE'S TRYING TO TRAP US." This person has been invariably identified as Tamal Krishna Goswami. What is meant by this statement is unknown. The work done by CAE stands in quality and thoroughness far above what was done by any of the subjective listening by various human ears, and will be very difficult to scientifically discredit. Audio forensics is a method of evidentiary proof accepted by courts and law enforcement agencies; so we also should give it great credence. In February of 1999, Jack Mitchell offered to post the poison whispers on his website as demonstration of his work and as assistance in making the evidence in this poison investigation available to more people. He explained that recent improvements in software (Yamaha Sound VQ) allowed sound bites to be downloaded with exceptional quality in a very short time. His website address is: http://biz.swep.com/CAE. Check it out and hear for yourself those who are assumed to be engaged in the very act of poisoning the pure devotee of the Supreme Lord, Srila Prabhupada. Historical truth is often not understood by one obvious piece of blinding evidence, but is re-constructed from many small bits of information and evidence, developing into varying degrees of certitude by progressing from a doubt to suspicion, then from a credible proposition to a probability, and finally, a certainty. The revelations provided so far and those coming in the future are due to the divine arrangement of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Hopefully this issue will be fully resolved soon, so that further dissension will not plague Srila Prabhupada's Mission. The total evidence to date, as one will see by the end of this publication, clearly points to a poison conspiracy. The consequences will be far reaching and profound, as Srila Prabhupada's followers gradually realize that our only secure basis is Srila Prabhupada's instructions and books, and not the leaders and policies that have created havoc in the Mission since the pure devotee's departure. CHAPTER 8: MORE AUDIO FORENSICS In January 1998, Mahabuddhi decided to divest himself of the responsibility for the CAE forensic report, and step into the background. He encouraged this reporter, who had funded the entire $15,000 cost, to decide what to do with it. Mahabuddhi wanted the report made public at some point, but his work and family responsibilities were wearing him down. He was getting dozens of calls at all hours about the forensic work; some were intimidating, some threatening, some boring, all of them time consuming. Thus this reporter was now solely responsible for the CAE forensic analysis already done, and for whatever other forensics might be done in the future. Early on, Mahabuddhi repeatedly mentioned his suspicion that the poison tape was edited and that the sections recorded seemed to him to have been rearranged out of chronological order. Specifically, he thought that the "Get ready to go" episode was actually the last recording made, but moved ahead of previous days' room conversations. He also speculated that there was "poisoning for a long time," and that Srila Prabhupada was given a final lethal dose of poison when told "Get ready to go." He thought the poisoners were worried Srila Prabhupada going to expose them and thus they needed to quickly finish their nefarious work. Or, the poisoners were concerned that the last kaviraja would restore Srila Prabhupada's health in spite of "poisoning for a long time," something the kaviraja emphatically declared his medicines were capable of doing. Note that these were merely suppositions. For many years there has been a samilar suspicion of tape editing on the so-called "appointment tape" of May 28, 1977. As editor of Vedic Village Review in Mississippi about ten years ago, this reporter had almost had the appointment tape analyzed for editing. Many devotees wondered if the appointment tape had been spliced, if words had been rearranged, or if words had been deleted to change the import of Srila Prabhupada's words. This reporter then learned that Mrigendra, by GBC request, had the appointment tape analyzed, and it was a reminder of issues set aside years ago due to life's turmoil. Mrigendra, a devotee attorney (Harvey Mechanic), arranged for a copy of the appointment tape to be sent from the Bhaktivedanta Archives to Norman Perle's lab. He asked that there be a determination as to whether or not the tape had been edited. In September 1997, Perle's report was released to the devotee world and immediately caused great confusion. Learning of the report two months later, this reporter was told that the appointment tape had been edited and tampered with, which is probably the general understanding of most devotees outside of the ISKCON temples. Upon discussing the matter with Bir Krishna Maharaj, former GBC chairman, he explained that Perle was simply identifying the points where the tape recorder had been turned off and then on again. This was the method in which room conversations with Srila Prabhupada were taped; the tape recorder would be then turned on whenever there was discussion, visitors or darshan, and then turned off again. A tape was filled over a day or more, with many sections separated by "breaks." When a tape was full, another cassette was popped into the recorder. Part of the summary from Perle's report states: "In conclusion, this recording exhibits strong signs suggestive of falsification. I do not believe that these deficiencies might possibly be the product of some mechanical process or problem within the recording or duplication process and I believe that they exist at what is considered to be a higher degree than that of a coincidence."(complete report in Appendix 1) Perle identified six points on side A of the tape, each documented with a waveform and spectrograph analysis, plus a commentary, typically "…consistent with a recording made from an edited Master recording." Interviewed, Mrigendra explained that no instructions were supplied to Perle as to the manner in which recordings of Srila Prabhupada were typically made. Perle was not apprised as to the start-stop routine and the resultant "breaks." Perle did not call back to ask any questions as to the circumstances or details of the tape. Perle was put on an extremely minimal budget, completely inadequate for actually doing any comprehensive and thorough analysis. Genuine quality work, as I found out with CAE, costs many thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, Mrigendra was simply not aware of how important this information would have been to Perle, nor was he even aware of it himself. As a result, Perle's appointment tape analysis is misleading, which is typical GBC mismanagement, and should have been remedied by further funding to complete the analysis properly. This reporter felt a responsibility to clear up the confusion and decided, at great expense, to finish the GBC project of analyzing the "appointment tape," and to do it expertly and conclusively. (see Chapter 11 & Appendix 3) Then it dawned on this author that the next logical step in the poison investigation would be to see if the poison tape had been edited, as was going to be tested for on the appointment tape. It would be invaluable to complete and review Perle's analysis on the appointment tape. There was suspicion of editing on both tapes, May28, the other November 11, 1977, six months apart, and that needed to be checked out. After several lengthy conferences with Jack Mitchell at CAE and strategizing on how to go about this next stage of forensic analysis, looking for possible edits, copies of the appointment tape from the BBT Archives and Perle's appointment tape report were sent to CAE. We discussed the technical differences in spectrographic signatures of a start-stop compared to various types of edits. Edits can be accomplished by copying over, "punching in" electronically, or the simple and old-school razor blade butt-splice. CAE explained about differing "ramp times" created by start-stops on different recording machines. Thus, as we shall see, CAE was able to confirm and identify many stop-start points on both the poison and appointment tapes. Most of Perle's six points on the appointment tape that he characterized as consistent with edits were, sure enough, as we shall see, nothing but typical stop-starts. CHAPTER 9: OBTAINING THE UHER However, there were other unusual anomalies on both tapes that could not be explained away so easily. Jack had made note of them when he had done the poison whisper analyses. Jack emphasized the need to know exactly what tape recorder had made these two tapes, as each recorder makes its own specific electronic "signatures" on the magnetic tape, with its different functions of pause, auto reverse, limiters, internal vs. external microphone, fast forward, etc. It was crucial, if CAE were to be able to make a truly definitive analysis, that we obtain the actual tape recorder used to record the tapes. And so began the search for information about the current location of the tape recorder last used over twenty years ago. After two weeks of phone and internet searching, the picture became clearer. There was a UHER reel to reel recorder used to record Srila Prabhupada up till about early 1976. Hari Sauri Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada's servant, arranged to have a new UHER cassette recorder obtained, as cassettes were so much easier to handle and he hoped that thus more of Srila Prabhupada's words would be captured on tape. He was right; the amount of recordings increased dramatically in 1976 over previous years. A second, identical UHER cassette recorder was obtained in Los Angeles for use when Srila Prabhupada was there (which was often) and also as a back-up in case the first recorder broke. Paramrupa Prabhu, founder of the BBT Archives, told this reporter that he used the second UHER in LA in February of 1978, after which it was sent to India. Its location today is unknown. So where was the first UHER cassette recorder that recorded the two tapes we were analyzing? Mahabuddhi suggested that I call Puru Prabhu, who had the extensive Bhaktivedanta Memorial Museum in the Brooklyn temple for many years. Suddenly, this reporter remembered touring his exhibits in 1989, and how Puru had proudly pointed out Srila Prabhupada's tape recorder in a showcase. Upon contacting Puru, it was clear that he was anxious to help disprove that the appointment tape had been edited. Puru was assured that CAE needed his UHER recorder to definitively ascertain the truth about the appointment tape, which was this reporter's only motive. Puru sent the UHER by Fedex to CAE to assist with the analysis work. Upon receiving the UHER, Jack found that there was an electrical short somewhere in the machine. It did not work, and would need to be repaired before tests could proceed. The former USA distributor for UHER tape recorders was of no help, and UHER in Germany did not reply Jack's e-mails. Jack got on the web and put out the alert for a schematic, hoping some electronic packrat had one from the seventies. Sure enough, within days, there was confirmation from New Zealand and a schematic was sent over to New Mexico. Without the schematic, it might have taken a small fortune to find the electrical short. Jack's repairman got to work and the short was isolated in the roller mechanism area, and the machine was taken to another shop that had better diagnostic equipment. Three weeks later, repaired, the UHER was operational and was returned to Jack Mitchell for the final and critical tests. Could the UHER make the unusual-looking anomalies found on both the poison and appointment tapes? Or were these anomalies due to edits and tampering? There was also a small silver SONY cassette recorder used as a backup in India when the UHER was unavailable or not working. It is on display in Srila Prabhupada's quarters in Vrindaban. However, due to the similar patterns found on both the poison and appointment tapes, we initially thought that there was very little chance that either tape was made on the SONY. After the testing was completed, it was ascertained otherwise, as explained in the next chapter. Puru received his UHER recorder from Tamal Krishna Goswami shortly after Srila Prabhupada's departure. Tamal distributed much Srila Prabhupada memorabilia at that time. There is next to no doubt that this UHER is the one used to record Srila Prabhupada in India in 1977. Puru asked Tamal to document in writing the history of his UHER and the SONY for the Bhaktivedanta Memorial Museum, but Tamal politely declined. CHAPTER 10: VIRTUAL ORIGINALS FROM ARCHIVES Discussing with Jack Mitchell his challenges in being able to cover all bases and to research all possible explanations (other than an anomaly being an edit), we decided on direct consultations and cooperation with the Bhaktivedanta Archives in Sandy Ridge, North Carolina. We wanted to make sure that when Jack identified a point on either tape as an EDIT, that it was for sure an edit and nothing else. Subsequently, Jack Mitchell had several technical consultations with Paramrupa at the Archives, and these two techies figured that any possible anomalies on Archives-produced copies that might be created by the dubbing machine could be eliminated if direct-wired DAT copies were made. Original tapes could not be sent to New Mexico because by Archives policy, tapes "do not leave the Archives without one of the Archives directors watching every second it is out of the vault." A recording procedure for these copies was agreed upon by Paramrupa Prabhu and Jack Mitchell. Jack said, "It should also be noted that these recordings, for the purpose of enhancement and speech decoding are most likely as good as having the original. The clarity on these digital copies exceeds the previously provided analog copies by magnitudes." This special DAT copy, almost as good in quality as the original tape itself, was sent to CAE in early March, 1998. Finally Jack Mitchell thought he had all the ingredients he needed to do a thorough, complete and definitive analysis to identify and verify points of tampering by editing. CAE also consulted with Norman Perle on his appointment tape analysis, arranged through the cooperation of Mrigendra. CAE interviewed Mrigendra and Puru at length. This was truly a cooperative and comprehensive endeavor. The forensic study involved many participants. No one thought the GBC and Tamal Krishna Goswami would cooperate, so they weren't asked. Given the anti-"poison issue" rhetoric being posted at the time on the CHAKRA website, this reporter hoped that perhaps the publication of all evidence accumulated to date would spur them into cooperative action. Then again, perhaps that hope is ill-conceived and naive. To claim Srila Prabhupada's sacred words on tape to have been edited or tampered with would not be an insignificant thing. Witness the brouhaha regarding the editing and changing of Srila Prabhupada's books. If His Divine Grace's sacred words on tape also could not be trusted, then what is left as sacred anywhere? It would be like the Bible, with its purity and origins unknown and unverified. Meanwhile, pressure was building for this reporter to release the results of CAE's analysis of the whispers, but this reporter decided to wait until the package was complete. After all, providing tantalizing tidbits for the gossip circuit was someone else's agenda. We wanted the whole truth and it was worth waiting a little longer for. Hopefully, this explained Balavanta's delay in the release of his results as well. CHAPTER 11: MORE WHISPERS, NO EDITING On March 26, 1998, an addendum report was received from CAE. CAE had not yet begun the final testing for possible edits and tampering, but, with the new digital copy of the "poison tape", there were more whispers discovered, analyzed and noted. After "Poisoning for a long time", there was more discussion in whispers which has already been added into the earlier report of the whisper analysis in Chapter 7. But furthermore, on side A of the "poison tape", November 11, 1977, was found the following whispers: WHISPER: 00:57.692…"GOING DOWN." WHISPER: 03:25.485…"DID IT HURT?" WHISPER: 21:40…"HE'S GONNA DIE" WHISPER: 21:58.641…"LISTEN, HE'S SAYING…GOING TO DIE." WHISPER: 46:51.445…"YES, A HEART ATTACK TIME." ALSO, on side B of the same tape: LOWER UNDER-TONE VOICE: (21:25.878)…"I TOLD YOU WHAT'S GOING ON. ORDERED TO (?). HE'S AS SLY (SLAY) AS THEY COME." This is what CAE found on the new analog to digital transfer tapes received from the Archives. What to make of these new whispers? Again, we see the words "going down," probably referring again to poison. Thus two separate "going down" whispers confirm each other, being very near each other on the same tape. Heart attack time? Who's as sly as they come? These secretive whispers about Srila Prabhupada's death and slyness have raised great suspicions as to the whisperers' conspiracy to poison Srila Prabhupada. Also, the whispers CAE had analyzed and reported on in January (Chapter 7) were reviewed on the new tapes and all previous findings were re-confirmed. With McCaffrey's confirmation, this makes triple verification of the forensic analysis of these whispers, what to speak of Balavanta's multiple confirmations of the same whispers. In late April 1998 this reporter received Part Two of CAE's audio forensic analysis, which focused on the authenticity of the appointment and "poison" tapes, but also revealed again more additional background whispers. These new whispers found on the poison tape show how audio forensics are able to hear what the human ear would miss or cannot understand, and are listed below to illustrate the point. Background whispering became common in Srila Prabhupada's room in those last days, perhaps because Srila Prabhupada's hearing had become so poor that the poisoners no longer worried about speaking incriminating whispers in the same room. But the tape recorder heard them. When one takes ALL the incriminating whispers together from just one tape, any possible explanation to allay fears of the worst scenario, namely the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada, becomes a real stretch of the credible. Plainly put, these whispers clearly indicate a poisoning conspiracy. |
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comment two
Two of the six "anomalies" identified by Perle on the appointment tape (Perle's exhibits 1 & 6) are simply lack of recognition of the tape "leader" at the start and the end of the tape. This could not have been ascertained by Perle unless he had the original tape, which he did not, but which Jack Mitchell confirmed with the BBT Archives, who examined their original tape. The other four anomalies appear to be stop-start points and nothing more. None of the suspected anomalies that both Perle and CAE analyzed were in or near the vicinity of the critical, brief "appointment "conversation on side A.
The poison tape's "anomalies," such as a 3 second blank spot, sudden amplitude changes, spiked "ramps" and so on were mostly reconciled. We now have renewed confidence in Srila Prabhupada's taped recordings, something we no longer have with His books due to BBT "editing." This should be some relief to the Bhaktivedanta Archives crew, now that extensive testing has found no tampering or editing to date on at least these two tapes.
However, there are some reservations about these conclusions. CAE found the May 28 tape was not recorded on Puru's UHER cassette recorder, whereas the November 11 "poison" tape was recorded on the UHER. But the May 28 tape was only found to have stop-start points and not the irregular types of apparent anomalies as did the poison tape. There are no suspicious areas on the appointment tape that could not be explained by CAE, and none were in the area of the critical "appointment" discussion. Therefore, even though the May tape was probably recorded on the Sony and not the UHER, still we can be fairly sure of no editing.
Jack Mitchell, in a later phone consultation, noted that the certainty of no editing or tampering on the two tapes was about 80 - 85 %. The limitations could be overcome if the original Archives tapes were tested by the "fluid magnetic development" process. Such a test does not negatively affect or damage the tape in any way. In this test, under 6X magnification, the magnetic signatures on the tape surface reveal "tank tracks" which would be broken by gaps every time the recorder was shut off for a "break." On a copy, however, the tank tracks are always continuous. The original tape would thus be required for testing to be 100% sure that there was no editing or tampering. An absence of gaps at stop-start points on the original tape would be proof that the original was really a copy, and if editing had taken place, it would become known from studying the "tank tracks'" features.
Perhaps in the future the funds and original tape will be available for this kind of test. In an expanded investigation conducted with the support of the ISKCON leadership (is there any left?), this should be on top of the list of things to do. That last 15 to 20 % possibility should be checked out. The summary of all this business about wondering if the tapes are edited is:
*The two tapes tested are not edited, with about 80% certainty.
*There is no technical or forensic indication that the tapes were edited.
* Perle's appointment tape analysis, stating "consistent with editing," is now debunked and refuted. Perle was not informed as to the nature of the recordings and he cursorily concluded the stop-start routine to be an irregularity and evidence of tampering. CAE clearly disproves this assumption in a thorough and first-class analysis, found in Appendix 3.
comment one
The additional whispers are (entire report is found in Appendix 3):
SIDE A:
"IT LOOKS TO ME HE'S STUPID"
"LOOKS THAT WAY, YEAH."
"THAT'S FUNNY"
"LET'S GO OUT"
"ENERGIES CONSERVED AND BUILT UP, AND
MANAGED, AND…"
"LET'S REDEEM OURSELVES"
"DID YOU DRINK? HOW MANY?"
"GOD DAMNIT JAY'S …OH GOD"
"GOD DAMN…"
"FIFTY PERCENT'S YOUR CUT"
"WELL, NO GOOD REASON"
"YOU DOIN' ?"
SIDE B:
"DO IT AGAIN"
"STAY HERE"
"SOMEBODY COULD EXPECT TO…EXPERIENCE…"
"CHECK THESE THING AND …"
"COULD HAVE BEEN TEN PERCENT OF IT"
"CAN YOU BUCK THE…"
"Fifty percent's your cut" and "God damnit." What do we make of this? The most disturbing whisper comes last, where what sounds exactly like Jayapataka Maharaj's distinct nasal voice, speaking with Srila Prabhupada.
VOICE: "YOU'RE TAKING IT RIGHT NOW."
PRABHUPADA: "HOW'S THIS?"
VOICE: "LET IT GO."
Taking what? Poison? Medicine? Some of these phrases are very unusual and puzzling. Whatever is being referred to in these whispers, when held together with other evidence (especially Srila Prabhupada's own words), and knowing the last 22 years of ISKCON history, how could any sensible person not become highly suspicious? Many would become thoroughly convinced that Srila Prabhupada was indeed poisoned by his own leading disciples, the whisperers. This reporter is among the latter.
RESULTS OF TAPE ANALYSES FOR EDITS & TAMPERING:
CAE had obtained and repaired the original UHER cassette recorder upon which both tapes were thought to have been made. CAE experimented with all combinations of manual and electronic functions of the UHER and examined the results. The idea was to attempt to duplicate the dozen or so suspected "anomalies" identified on the two tapes, to determine as positively as possible if these were produced by tampering or editing, or through normal machine operations. However, most anomalies were fully reconciled as normal. NO EVIDENCE OF TAMPERING OR EDITING WAS FOUND ON BOTH THE APPOINTMENT TAPE OR POISON TAPE.
see comment two